Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pregnancy Post: Week 29


Holy cow, I can't believe that I'm 29 weeks already! Assuming I go to 40 weeks, I now have 77 days of pregnancy left. Even better, I officially have 41 or fewer days of work left!

Lizard is now approximately the size of a butternut squash (or about 2 and a half pounds and 15 inches long). This week, her bones are developing, which may explain the fact that I seem to be craving milk, cheese, and other things containing lots of calcium. Lizard's spleen has also begun to work this week. I still don't really know what a spleen does, but it's undoubtedly important somehow!

As far as I go, I'm tired all the time, crying all the time, have heartburn all the time, I feel like my bump is oddly shaped, constipated, and my ribs hurt all the time. Soon, I might need Justin to help push me up off the couch. It's not pretty, but it's the truth folks! Still, oddly, it's almost like it just becomes the new normal. I'm not really even all that grumpy about it...it just is what it is.

I guess the bottom line is that I'm just happy that she's still baking away, and kicking away. We had a case at work this week with a baby who was born at 24 weeks gestation, and is doing okay, but is obviously very fragile and still in the NICU. It boggles my mind to think that this would translate into me giving birth over a month ago. Holy manoley.

This afternoon, I have to do the one-hour glucose test. Cross your fingers and say a little prayer that I pass! Also, I don't even want to know how much I weigh now!

I'm also trying to get a little issue with my FSA worked out at work. My boss and I have a different understanding of how the flex spending accounts work--essentially, since our plan year runs from mid-calendar year to mid-calendar year, I have already used more of my flex money than I have contributed, or will contribute by the time I leave in December. She believes I will owe the company the difference between what I have used ans what I have contributed. My understanding is that there is a risk to both the employee and the employer with a FSA--i.e. if I don't use all the $, the employer gets it. If I'm laid off, I am no longer able to use those funds. BUT, if I leave the company having used more than I contributed, I'm not liable for what I didn't actually contribute. For what it's worth, we haven't continued to use the flex funds once I said I wouldn't be returning...though I do believe that legally, we could. Anyway, all the research I've done backs up my opinion, but I'm still waiting for my boss to give the final ruling.

In other news, the nursery is coming along spectacularly! I'm not going to post anything other than detail pics until we're done, but I had to share the latest nursery development, which is that my mom finished the bedskirt and fitted sheet for the crib:

I am LOVING how they work with what we've got going on in the rest of the room so far. And I really, really love how the majority of the nursery is either hand-made, or hand-me-downs. I can't wait to tell Lizard all about the family members who helped with her room :)

13 comments:

  1. I am sure that you are correct on your understanding of FSA. I used to work HR benefits for my company and that is what I always understood from the documentation from IRS. Good luck.

    Can't wait to see the nursery all done!!

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  2. Legally you are correct in your understanding of the FSA account. I'm in charge of the accounting of my companies FSA and you are not liable for any amount you overspent that was approved.

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  3. p.s. love the nursery, I can't wait to see all the photos!

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  4. Well technically speaking, I didn't overspend the account--I'm well within what I had elected for the year. However, because they have to give you your full elected amount at the start of the plan year, I've already spent more than I will actually contribute by the time I leave in December.

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  5. So, I think I've found a cure for the heartburn. Heartburn during the day doesn't really bother me, it's when I'm going to be that it just kills me. So I've started eating a bowl of cereal every night before bed and it's really helped! Maybe try that out?

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  6. I can't believe how close you are to the end. She'll be here before we know it!

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  7. I can't wait to see the completed nursery! :)

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  8. Okay, Miss. Lizard :) I will be home December 18th-January 5th. Please grace us with your presence by then :) Love, Aunt Kait and Uncle Jess :)

    You look wonderful Meredith! And I am totally loving your khaki pants and white shirt :) It's super cute!

    Hey are you guys gonna get maternity pictures done? Just wondering...

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  9. The sheets look great. Good luck with the FSA-I have no idea about them except that I always spend more than I have allocated! Maybe one day, I'll figure out the right formula...

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  10. You are doing great Momma! Give that little Lizard all the calcium needed. :)

    Good attitude adjustement, you're going to make it. :)

    Love the sheets and can't wait to see it all!

    PS you looks great!

    PPS I hope the decision is in your favor, especially considering the pp's comments!

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  11. THE SPLEEN.: Red pulp, also called splenic pulp, consists of blood and reticular fibers. This portion of the human spleen helps to filter the blood, purging it of unwanted elements which contain red blood cells that have aged to the point of deterioration. White pulp, also called Malpighian bodies of the spleen or splenic lymphoid nodules, refers to small nodules within the spleen that are rich in lymphocytes and help to fight infection.

    The spleen is a very important organ, and asplenia, a condition in which the spleen is not present either congenitally or due to removal in surgery, has been linked to an increased predisposition to certain infections. The spleen also serves as an emergency reservoir of blood. In some animals, it stores red blood cells, while in humans, it stores platelets, the clotting agent in blood.

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  12. Ohhhhhhh, you poor thing. The heartburn is the worst!!

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  13. Mostly your spleen recycles old blood cells, which helps your immune system stay up do date. It's not the only way the body does this, however, which is how you can survive without one. My uncle just had his removed a couple months ago, actually.

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